Detection of West Nile and Usutu Viruses in Italian Free Areas: Entomological Surveillance in Piemonte and Liguria Regions, 2014

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2016 Apr;16(4):292-4. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2015.1851. Epub 2016 Feb 10.

Abstract

West Nile virus and Usutu virus have established in different parts of Italy over the past 10 years. Piemonte and Liguria Regions (Northwestern Italy) are known to be nonendemic areas, despite the presence of competent vectors and environmental conditions conducive to maintaining infection. This work evidences for the first time, through an entomological surveillance implemented on the basis of risk factor approach, the presence of West Nile and Usutu viruses in Piemonte and Liguria Regions (Northwestern Italy).

Keywords: Arbovirus(es); Culex pipiens; Mosquito(es); Real time RT-PCR; West Nile.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Culicidae / virology*
  • Flavivirus / genetics
  • Flavivirus / isolation & purification*
  • Horses / immunology
  • Horses / virology
  • Insect Vectors / virology
  • Italy
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • West Nile Fever / immunology
  • West Nile Fever / veterinary
  • West Nile virus / genetics
  • West Nile virus / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • RNA, Viral